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samantha_randolph's Reviews (1.59k)
Short and Sweet:
Dark, mysterious, and more than a touch mad, this Gothic tale is a great read! There were a couple things I wasn't thrilled with, but overall I'm very happy I finally read The Madman's Daughter and I am DYING to read the sequel!
To Elaborate...
Juliet's former life involving eccentric, but loving, well-off parents ended the second scandal shook their family and her father disappeared. Now, she works clean-up at a medical university doing her best to stay out of a creepy professor's way. When rumors surface about her father, she tracks down the source and finds her childhood best friend, Montgomery. After learning that her father is indeed alive, she accompanies Montgomery (and later Edward) to her father's island. Juliet soon discovers the island is full of madness and experiments. She must fight her own hysteria in order to keep her sanity if she is to find safety away from the wild.
What I love most about this book is the general feel and voice of it. It's so Gothic and it reminds me a lot of Sharon Cameron's The Dark Unwinding and Jane Nickerson's Strands of Bronze and Gold. Every character seems to have some sort of madness in them, and it's both exciting and thrilling!
While I love Juliet, all three of the main characters (Juliet, Montgomery, and Edward) made me a little frustrated at times. They form a love triangle and when it first started, I was NOT feeling it. I wanted Juliet to focus on her father. Also, both Montgomery and Edward had some jerk-like moments. Even so, by the end of the book, I was really enjoying some of the romance. Some twists, turns and betrayals that I never saw coming were thrown in and I thought it enhanced/deepened the romance and the story in general so well. No spoiling, but a general warning for the end: it's a cliffhanger, and it's a doosey.
Overall, I really, really liked The Madman's Daughter. An excellent foundation was laid for the next book and I WANTS IT! I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes a story with a little darkness and madness woven in. :)
Originally posted at I Heart YA Fiction: http://iheartyafiction.blogspot.com/2014/06/throwback-thursday-review-madmans.html
Dark, mysterious, and more than a touch mad, this Gothic tale is a great read! There were a couple things I wasn't thrilled with, but overall I'm very happy I finally read The Madman's Daughter and I am DYING to read the sequel!
To Elaborate...
Juliet's former life involving eccentric, but loving, well-off parents ended the second scandal shook their family and her father disappeared. Now, she works clean-up at a medical university doing her best to stay out of a creepy professor's way. When rumors surface about her father, she tracks down the source and finds her childhood best friend, Montgomery. After learning that her father is indeed alive, she accompanies Montgomery (and later Edward) to her father's island. Juliet soon discovers the island is full of madness and experiments. She must fight her own hysteria in order to keep her sanity if she is to find safety away from the wild.
What I love most about this book is the general feel and voice of it. It's so Gothic and it reminds me a lot of Sharon Cameron's The Dark Unwinding and Jane Nickerson's Strands of Bronze and Gold. Every character seems to have some sort of madness in them, and it's both exciting and thrilling!
While I love Juliet, all three of the main characters (Juliet, Montgomery, and Edward) made me a little frustrated at times. They form a love triangle and when it first started, I was NOT feeling it. I wanted Juliet to focus on her father. Also, both Montgomery and Edward had some jerk-like moments. Even so, by the end of the book, I was really enjoying some of the romance. Some twists, turns and betrayals that I never saw coming were thrown in and I thought it enhanced/deepened the romance and the story in general so well. No spoiling, but a general warning for the end: it's a cliffhanger, and it's a doosey.
Overall, I really, really liked The Madman's Daughter. An excellent foundation was laid for the next book and I WANTS IT! I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes a story with a little darkness and madness woven in. :)
Originally posted at I Heart YA Fiction: http://iheartyafiction.blogspot.com/2014/06/throwback-thursday-review-madmans.html
3.5/5 stars rounded up
Short and Sweet:
I have a lot of mixed feelings about this one. I love the Arthurian legends woven into the story, but I'm not so wild about other things. It was better than okay and had some great moments, but I might not follow the rest of the series.
To Elaborate...
As Guinevere's lady-in-waiting, Vivienne's day life isn't too exciting. But when Camelot sleeps, she steals away to Merlin's tower and takes on her role as his apprentice. She dreams of seeing the world, but a threat in the form of Arthur's sister, Morgan, forces her to stay and help in Camelot. With the help of a squire named Marcus, Vivienne does all she can to protect Camelot from the danger that is among them.
This is one of those rare books that I have a hard time rating. Phrased eloquently: "I like it...but..." I am a huge fan of the Arthurian legends, so I was so excited to read this. The author does a brilliant job of setting the scene of Camelot (like the movie Quest for Camelot does) and all of the important figures: Arthur, Guinevere, Lancelot, Merlin, and Morgan are present. I love some of the twists on the original tale, especially Merlin's slightly creepy magic addiction.
I was so excited to see Vivienne's point of view and what her role was in this tale, but for some reason, I just didn't feel a strong connection with her. She's not bad or anything, but I guess I felt like I wanted something more from her. I can definitely see other people connecting with her because her character isn't poorly done, but there wasn't much there for me. Sadly, I didn't really like Marcus that much either, but I warmed up to him more by the end.
The last third of Camelot Burning really swayed me to like it a little more. While there is action throughout the story, it really takes off towards the end. A few secrets are revealed, and the romance gets a lot more intense. Once it hit that point, it was hard to put down.
Because of that last third, I kind of want to read the next book (whenever it comes out). Maybe now that are the basics are set, the story can take off more and Vivienne might grow on me. However, I'm still a bit hesitant.
Originally posted at I Heart YA Fiction: http://iheartyafiction.blogspot.com/2014/06/review-camelot-burning-by-kathryn-rose.html
Short and Sweet:
I have a lot of mixed feelings about this one. I love the Arthurian legends woven into the story, but I'm not so wild about other things. It was better than okay and had some great moments, but I might not follow the rest of the series.
To Elaborate...
As Guinevere's lady-in-waiting, Vivienne's day life isn't too exciting. But when Camelot sleeps, she steals away to Merlin's tower and takes on her role as his apprentice. She dreams of seeing the world, but a threat in the form of Arthur's sister, Morgan, forces her to stay and help in Camelot. With the help of a squire named Marcus, Vivienne does all she can to protect Camelot from the danger that is among them.
This is one of those rare books that I have a hard time rating. Phrased eloquently: "I like it...but..." I am a huge fan of the Arthurian legends, so I was so excited to read this. The author does a brilliant job of setting the scene of Camelot (like the movie Quest for Camelot does) and all of the important figures: Arthur, Guinevere, Lancelot, Merlin, and Morgan are present. I love some of the twists on the original tale, especially Merlin's slightly creepy magic addiction.
I was so excited to see Vivienne's point of view and what her role was in this tale, but for some reason, I just didn't feel a strong connection with her. She's not bad or anything, but I guess I felt like I wanted something more from her. I can definitely see other people connecting with her because her character isn't poorly done, but there wasn't much there for me. Sadly, I didn't really like Marcus that much either, but I warmed up to him more by the end.
The last third of Camelot Burning really swayed me to like it a little more. While there is action throughout the story, it really takes off towards the end. A few secrets are revealed, and the romance gets a lot more intense. Once it hit that point, it was hard to put down.
Because of that last third, I kind of want to read the next book (whenever it comes out). Maybe now that are the basics are set, the story can take off more and Vivienne might grow on me. However, I'm still a bit hesitant.
Originally posted at I Heart YA Fiction: http://iheartyafiction.blogspot.com/2014/06/review-camelot-burning-by-kathryn-rose.html
"Artist Liv Bloom isn't sold on Wickham Hall's overzealous enthusiasm for tradition and rituals, but if it gets her out of the foster care system and into her own studio, she's still happy. When she meets popular student, Malcolm, she thinks she might experience love for the first time. Her friend, the loner and slightly crazy, Gabe, tells her to be cautious. She thinks everything is fine...until she sneaks out one night with Malcolm and ends up murdered. Now back as a ghost, Liv, Malcolm, and Gabe (the only one who can see her) try to solve who killed not only her, but a continuing line of girls over the past 150 years." Full review at Fresh Fiction: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=44083
"After Juliet dies, Romeo is still left alive, the poison not being enough to kill him. Now, he searches for a way to bring her back, even if it means going to the underworld." Full review at Fresh Fiction: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=44084
4.5/5 stars rounded up
"Tess Whistle leads a nearly extraordinary life. Her parents are a mixture of born-again Christians and survivalists, her best friend has serious coping issues, and Tess is giving heavy thought to losing her virginity to her boyfriend, Ben, even though she always said she would wait for a ring. As Tess weaves throughout these issues, she finds out just how hard life is to control, even when control is what you want most." Full review at Fresh Fiction: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=44085
"Tess Whistle leads a nearly extraordinary life. Her parents are a mixture of born-again Christians and survivalists, her best friend has serious coping issues, and Tess is giving heavy thought to losing her virginity to her boyfriend, Ben, even though she always said she would wait for a ring. As Tess weaves throughout these issues, she finds out just how hard life is to control, even when control is what you want most." Full review at Fresh Fiction: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=44085
4.5/5 stars rounded up
"Sarah Trestle has always wanted to be part of something bigger than herself, and she found that through being in The Sarahs. The Sarahs, Sarah A, Sarah B, Sarah C, and herself, are the clique everyone wants to be in with their good looks and great singing voices. What no one realizes is that the Sarahs are actually criminals who steal things all the time. Sarah T is typically the driver, but when a shoplifting incident goes bad because of her, the other Sarahs start to question her place in their group. Sarah T will have to discover how far she is willing to go to stay in the only group that's made her feel like she belongs." Full review at Fresh Fiction: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=44173
"Sarah Trestle has always wanted to be part of something bigger than herself, and she found that through being in The Sarahs. The Sarahs, Sarah A, Sarah B, Sarah C, and herself, are the clique everyone wants to be in with their good looks and great singing voices. What no one realizes is that the Sarahs are actually criminals who steal things all the time. Sarah T is typically the driver, but when a shoplifting incident goes bad because of her, the other Sarahs start to question her place in their group. Sarah T will have to discover how far she is willing to go to stay in the only group that's made her feel like she belongs." Full review at Fresh Fiction: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=44173
"Though her mother will never let her forget the high class line they descend from, Jane feels anything but noble. The family's wealth has long since been gone, leaving Jane and her sister, Maude, to attempt to find food and make it through harsh winters. When their mother returns from town one day with a new husband and a spoiled daughter, they have hope that money will improve...until their stepfather dies and there is no money. Now, Jane must find a way to keep her family and stepsister from starvation, even if it means talking to people from the woods and going to a certain ball." Full review at Fresh Fiction: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=44175
"Reena can't remember a time when she didn't like Sawyer, even though he never seemed to notice her that way. Then one day, he finally does and neither predicted how intense their feelings would turn out to be. Unfortunately, life is extremely messy and that reflects in their relationship. When Sawyer suddenly vanishes with no notice, Reena is left heartbroken...and pregnant. Three years later, Sawyer turns up again and meets his toddler-aged daughter. Full of anger and hurt, Reena will have to decide if she's ready to have Sawyer back in her life at all." Full review at Fresh Fiction: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=44176
"For Regan, the hot new virtual reality app, Elusion, is nothing new. Her father and her best friend, Patrick, were the ones who created it after all. After her father died though, Regan doesn't feel like escaping anymore when it means having to remember his death all over again when she wakes up. Soon, however, rumors run rampant about problems with Elusion, problems that could mean more death. Regan will have to find out what the truth behind this program, even if it disillusions the images she had of the people dear to her." Full review at Fresh Fiction: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=44214
"When Emma Putnam commits suicide, several of her classmates, including Sara Wharton, are charged for bullying. Sara is tired of people saying it was all her (and her friends') fault when Emma was not the angel the media is making her out to be. Regardless, Sara can hardly walk outside without someone shooting her dirty looks or telling her she should be ashamed of herself. Now possibly facing trial, Sara has to relive the events that put her in the place she's in and decide where she will go now that no one seems to like her." Full review at Fresh Fiction: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=44205